An offence has been registered against the director and scientist of a research firm for alleged misappropriation of government funds meant for development of farmers. A government officer, Purushottam Rajani (54), a resident of Delhi, lodged the offence with the Chaturshringi police station on Friday. The police have booked Anita Deshmukh, managing trustee and director of ‘Institute of Relevant Research’, and Anand Karandikar, director and senior research scientist of the same company, under sections 409 (criminal breach of trust), 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

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Police sub-inspector AR Shinde is investigating the case. When contacted, Shinde said that as per the complaint received on Friday, the Ministry of Agriculture had given Rs 8,95,550 to the institute, located in Baner, between February 7, 1996 and March 31, 1999, for improving the income of mango and grape growing farmers in Maharashtra and developing technology and new varieties of fruits.

“The ministry demanded details of the expenditure of these funds and other information from the institute. But it failed to give details, due to which the ministry has lodged a police complaint. We have started probing the case,” said Shinde.